Species Assessment Groups (SAG) were assembled to recommend a legal classification for each species considered for NR 40. The recommendation for spreading hedgeparsley was based upon this literature review developed by the department.

Identification

First year plant leaves: Low, parsley-like rosettes that stay green until late fall.

Second year plant leaves: Leaves are alternate, compound, fern-like, 2-5 inches long and slightly hairy.

Flowers: Flowers are tiny, white and grow in small, loose, flat-topped umbels with out bracts at the base. Plants bloom July-August.

Fruits & seeds: Small seeds are covered in hooked hairs that attach to clothing and fur.

Roots: Taproot.

Similar species: Japanese hedgeparsley (Torilis japonica; invasive) has 2 or more pointed bracts at the base of each umbel, otherwise the two plants are very much the same. In general, there are many white-flowered look-alikes in the parsley family. One example is Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota; non-native), a widespread weed in Wisconsin, with similar fern-like leaves, but leaves and stems are hairy. When crushed, it smells like carrots. Other look-alikes include wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris; invasive), caraway (Carum carvi; non-native), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum; invasive), and Chinese hemlock parsley (Conioselinum chinense; native). The native sweet cicely (Osmorhiza spp.) may also be mistaken for the hedge parsleys.

Distribution

Counties in WI where spreading hedgeparsley has been reported (as of July 2011). Both vouchered and unvouchered reports included.

Currently, there have not been reports of spreading hedgeparsley in WI. Have you seen it? Send us a report.

Control

Mechanical: Pull or mow prior to flowering.

Chemical: Treat foliage with glyphosate, triclopyr, or metsulfron methyl in early spring or on plants that are resprouting after having been cut.